Manifold



H. T. KRAFT.

MANIFOLD.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. I920.

Patented Dec. 14,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1-,

H. T. KRAFT.

MANIFOLD.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1920.

a. r 2. f m m m m m 3 A 3 m 5 d m 4 WW o o o o oo UNITED? STA ES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN T. KRAFT, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MANIFOLD.

To all whom it co'nc em Be it known that I, HERMAN KRAFT, a citizenof the United States, and resident of Akron, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Manifolds, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in air manifolds for use upon dirigible balloons or the like. v

As is well known in 'the aeronautical art non-rigid dirigibles such as the Blimp, type are usually equipped with air ballonnets, which are inflated ordefiated under control of the operator for the purpose of shifting the volume of gas within the envelop to thereby 'secure the proper balance of the craft, or to compress the gas in order to fill out the envelop and maintain it in its proper conformation. I

It is the primary object of this inventlon to provide a practical and easily operable device for directing air into the ballonnets of a non-rigid dirigible, or to exhaust 1t therefrom, which is so constructed that the operator is enabled to inflate or deflate the ballonnets either simultaneously or independently of each other; or topass the an from one to the other.

The above and additional objects which will be hereinafter more specifically treated, may be accomplished by means of the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in thefollowing specification, inthe claims of which I have assembled and pointed out certain features of construction and combinations ofparts for which protection is desired.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with portions showing in section and illustrating the application of my device to one type of non-rigid dirigible.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale with portions of the device. shown in section and illustrating those elements of the device which are located exteriorly of the envelop.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3- of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of the device taken lon itudinally thereof and showing parts in e evation.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view with parts showing in section.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentar Y view in side eleva- Specification ofLetters'Patent. Patented Dec, 14, 19241 a lication filed. m 20.1920. "serial No. 382,812.

I tion showing the main operating levers, and F1-g. 7 1s a fragmentary detail perspective view.

designates generally a well known type of non-rigid dlrigible, embodying an arrangement of ballonnets with which my novel manifold may be advantageously employed, the specific details of construction of the dirigible and some of the operating mechanisms therefor having been omitted inasmuch as, the dirigible per 80 forms no part of the present invention.

The ballonnets which in thisinstance are located at the nose and adjacent the tail of the gas envelop 11, are designated respectively by the numerals 12 and 13, and are connected by a duct or passage 14. A portion of the fuselage has been'diagraminatically illustrated at 15 in order to show the approximate position which my manifold occupies with reference to the propeller 16. The manifold proper'comprises an elbow casing 17, open at both ends andprovided with a vertical portion 18 and a downwardl and laterally projecting portion 19 both of which are preferably c lindrical in'crosssection and formed of s eet metal although any other suitable material may be employed. 'Tlie casing 17 is preferably at- Referring to the drawings by numeral, 10"- ta'ched to the'belly of the envelop 11, in a position about midway of the ballonnets 12 and 13 with its upper end registering with an opening 20' formed in the envelop, and communicatin with passage 14, and its lower end pro ecting toward the nose of the balloon. 1

A frusto conical open ended scoop 21 is hinged for swinging movement as at 22 upon the lower end of the casin 17 and in use occupies a osition in axia almement with the projecting portion 19 of the casing with its rear end registering with the lower end of said section. By reference to the drawings it will be seen that in this position the forward end of the scoop' is ositioned at a point slightlyin the rear 0 the propeller 16, which is thus 'utilizedto force air through the scoop and casin into the passage 14 and ballonnets 10 an 11. l

The rear end of the scoop 21 is provided with a flanged reinforcing ring 23 carrying a gasket 24 which when the scoop is in its working position is adapted to abut a flanged reinforcing ring 25 provided upon the lower end of the section 19. Spring catches 26 may be provided upon the ring 25 for engagement with the flange of the ring 23 to hold the scoop against accidental movement and the scoop may be swung vertically upon its hinge 22 to a position against the belly. of the balloon envelop by any desired arrangement of pull ropes and pulleys such for instance as that indicated at 27, see Fig.1.

As a means for preventing air from entering the casing 17 when the scoop is raised, I provide the damper 28 which is mounted as shown in the ring 25 and provided with an operating lever 29 guided in its movement by the segments 30. Under normal conditions the damper 28 should be in the position shown in'Fig. 4 when the scoop is down, and in the position shown in Fig. 2 when the scoop is raised. It may, however, be found expedient to adjust this damper in either position of the scoop and I therefore provide levers 31 and 32 hinged together at 33 to break in one direction, and pivoted respectively to the damper 28 and the scoop 21. By virtue of this arrangement the damper is swung to its open and closing position through the movement of the scoop but at the same time may be adjusted by oscillating the lever 29 in any suitable manner as by pull cords 27 and 27.

At its upper end the casing 12 is provided with a laterally flanged reinforcing ring 34 which is divided by a centrally disposed transverse bar 35, and between which and a second similar cap-ring 36, presently described, the edge of the envelop surrounding the opening 20 is clamped by means of bolts or studs 37 as shown-in Fig. 4. Suitable gaskets 38 may be employed between the respective rings and the envelop in order to make a tight and secure joint adjacent the edge of the opening 20.

The ring 36 is provided with a cross-bar 39 alining with the bar and upon which are hinged a pair of oppositely disposed semi-circular flaps or closure plates 40 and 41 each of which serves to open and close one half of the casing 17, and which together with the ring are disposed within the passage 14.

In order to support the walls of the passage 14 and to prevent them, should they become collapsed, from interfering with the operation of the flaps 40 and 41, I provide the arched ca'ge structure 42which is se cured upon the ring 36 preferably by the studs 37 before mentioned and comprises a frame work clearly shown in Fig. 4.

-To separate the ballonets one from the other and to thereby provide for separate communications to each one from the casing 17, 1 provide the vertical partition 43 extending transversely of the cage 42 and the passage 14. Preferably this partition is secured at its lower edge to the bar 39 and has its outer edges attached to the cage 42.

The flaps 40and 41 are actuated by means of a rock-shaft 44 extending transversely through the casing 17 and'having its ends journaled in the walls thereof. A sleeve 45 is loosely mounted upon this shaft 44. and together with one end of the shaft projects exteriorly of the casing. Pull levers v46 and 47 are suitably affixed upon the respective projecting ends of the shaft 44 and the sleeve 45 and are provided with pull cords 48 one of which is shown in Fig. 1. Stops 49 are arranged upon the casing walls to limit the movement of the levers. The rock shaft 44 is provided adjacent its center with a vertically extending arm 50 which is pivotally connected above the shaft by a link 51 to the flap 41, and below the shaft by a retractile spring 52 to the casing 17. In a similar 'manner the inner end of the sleeve 45 is provided with an arm 53 which is pivotally connected below the shaft by an arm 54 to the flap 40, and above the shaft by a retractile spring 55 to the casing 17. By means of this arrangement of levers and springs the flaps 40 and 41 are normally held in a closed position to prevent air fromentering the passage 14 on either side of the partition 43, although I have shown one flap 41 as raised in order to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Obviously by actuating the pull levers 46 and 47 the fiapsmay be actuated to admit air to the passage 14 either upon both sides of the partition or upon either side as desired.

Should the operator desire to pass air from one ballonnet to the other to equalize the pressures therein the damper 24 may be closed by means of the previously described devices and both flaps 40 and 45 raised when the air is free to pass through the casing 17 below the partition 43.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred type of my invention and its application in the particular art for which it was primarily designed, it is to be understood that it may be advantageously employed in various other fields and that certain changes in structure and modification of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles 01' the like. comprising a sectional tubular casing, one section of which may be swung relative to the other, a pair'of valve members for closing the discharge end of the latter section. and means acting to close the intake end of the latter section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction.

2. A manifold for feeding air to dirigimeans acting to close the intake'end of the second section when the first section is swung thereon in one direction.

3. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like, comprising a sectional tu-' bular casing constructed to form angularlv disposed chambers one section of the casing being hinged upon the other section for swinging movement, a pair of valve members for closing the discharge end of the second section, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section when the first section is swung thereon in one direct'ion said means being adjustable in any position of the swinging section.

4. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like, comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularl-y disposed chambers, one section of the casing being hinged upon the other section for swinging movement, a pair of valve members for closing the discharge end of the second section, devices for actuating the valves independently of each other, and means actin to close the intake end of the second section when the first section is swung thereon in one direction, said means being adjustable in any position of the swinging section. Y

5. A manifold for feedingair to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging movement, a pair of valve members for closing the discharge end of the second section, a guard element spanning the discharge end of the second section and inclosing the valve members, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction.

6. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging movement. a pair of valve members for closing the discharge end of the second section, a guard clement spanning the discharge end of the second section and inclosing the valve mem hers, means for actuating the valves indepcndcntly of each other, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction.

T. maniiold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tnbular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging movement, a pair of valve members for closing the discharge end of the second section, a guard element spanning the discharge end of the second section and inclosing the valve members, means for actuating the valves inde- I pendently of each other, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction said means being adjustable in any position of the swinging section.

8. A, manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging movement, a guard element spanning thedischarge end of the second section, a partition disposed at right angles to the discharge end of said section and centrally thereof, a valve upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of the section, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section upon swinging movement of the first section in one direction.

9. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging'movement, a guard element spanning the discharge end of the second section, a partition disposed at right angles to the discharge end of said section and centrally thereof, a valve member upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of the section, devices for actuating each valve member independently of the other, and means acting to close one direction, said'means being adjustable in any position of the swinging section.

10. A manifold for feeding air to dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for'swinging movement, an arched guard spanning the discharge end of the second section, a partition disposed at right angles to the discharge end of the second section and centrally thereof, a hinged valve member upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of said section, and means acting to close the discharge end of the second section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction.

11. A manifold for feeding air to .dirigibles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging movement, an arched guard spanning the discharge end of I to close the intake end of the casing upon.

' therefrom, a valve upon each side of t e parthe second section, a partition disposed at right angles to the discharge end of the second section and centrally thereof, a valve member upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of the,second section, and means acting to close the discharge end of the second section upon movement of the swinging section in one direction, said means being adjustable in any position of l0 the swinging section.

12. A manifold for feeding air to dirigi bles or the like comprising a sectional tubular casing constructed to form. angularly disposed chambers one section being hinged upon the other for swinging. movement, an arched guard spanning the discharge end of the second section and removably mounted thereon, a partition disposed at right angles to the'discharge end of said section I and centrally thereof, a hinged valve member upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of said section, a shaft and sleeve device for actuating the valves, and means acting to close the intake end of the second section upon movement of the first section in onedirection, said means being adjustable in any-position of the first section.

13. An air manifold-for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end arranged in relative angular relation, an air scoop hinged to the intake end of the casing for swinging movement thereon, means acting to close the intake end of the casing upon movement of the air scoop in one direction, devices for adjusting said means in any position of the scoop, and a pairof valves at the discharge end of the casing for closing said end thereof.

14. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end arranged in relative angular relation, an air scoop hinged to the intake end of the casing for swinging movement thereon, means acting movement of the air scoop in one direction, devices for adjusting-said means in any position of the scoop, a partition bisecting the mouth of the discharge end and pro'ecting tition for closing the discharge end of the casing, and means for actuating each valve mouth of the discharge end of the casingand inclosingthe valves.

16. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end, an air scoop swingably mounted upon the intake end of the casing, means acting to close the intake mouth of the discharge end of the casing and projecting therefrom, a valve upon each side of the partition inclosing the discharge end of the casing, and a protecting cage spanning the mouth of the discharge end of the casing and inclosing the partition and valves. v

17. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end, an air scoop swingably mounted upon the intake end of the casing, means actin to close the intake end of the casing when t e scoop is swung in one direction, devices for adjusting said means in any position of the scoop, a partition bisecting the mouth of the discharge end of the casing and projecting therefrom, a .valve upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of the casing, a

shaft and sleeve device for actuating the means be ng adjustable in any position of the scoop,

spring returned valves for closing the discharge end of the casing, a shaft and sleeve device for actuating the valves, and stops associated with said actuating means for limiting the movement of each valve in one direction.

19. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprisin a tubularpasin having an intake end an a discharge on a tubular air scoop hinged for swinging movement upon the intake end of the casing, means acting to close the intake end of the casing when the scoop is swung in one direction said means being adjustable in any position of the scoop, a partition bisecting the mouth ofthe discharge end of the casing and projecting therefrom a spring returned valve upon each side of the partition for closing the dischar e end of the casing, and a shaft and sleeve device for actuating the valves.

' 20. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end, an air'scoop hingedfor swinging movement upon the intake end of the casing, means mounted upon the casing acting to close the iiitake end thereof when the scoop is swung in one direction, devices for adjusting said means in any position of the scoop, a partition bisecting the mouth of the discharge end of the casing and projecting therefrom, a hinged flap valve upon each side of the partition for closing the discharge end of the casing, and an arched guard spanning the discharge end of the casing and inclosing the partition and valve. A

21. An air manifold for dirigibles or the like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake and a discharge end arranged in angular relation,-an air scoop swingably mounted at the intake end of the casing, a damper pivotally mounted in the intake end of the casing, link members connecting the damper to the scoop for swinging movement therewith, a lever'for adjusting the damper in any position of thescoop, flap valves closing the discharge end of the casing, and an arched guard spanning the mouth of the discharge end of the casing and inclosingthe valves.

22. An air manifold for dirigibles orthe like, comprising a tubular casing having an intake end and a discharge end arranged in angular relation, an air scoop swingably mounted at the intake end of the casing, a damper pivotally mounted in the intake end of the casing, link members connecting thedamper to the scoop for swinging movement therewith, a lever for adjusting the damper in any position of the scoop,

a partition bisecting the mouth of the disprising a casing constructed of relatively movable sections, means closing the discharge end of one section, and auxiliary means acting to control the flow of air through the manifold upon relative movement of said sections.

' In Witness whereof, I have hereunto si ned my name in the presence of two subscri ing wltnesses.

I HERMAN T. KRAFT. Witnesses A. J. KNmH'r, J. E. 'KnA'rINo.

a flap valve upon each side of the 

